A woman who admitted trying to snatch a two-day-old baby from the St George's Hospital maternity ward has been given six more weeks to get on with her 250-hour community work sentence.
Rachel Marie French, 21, has done only 38 hours of the sentence she got nearly seven months ago after pleading guilty to the charge of kidnapping.
She pleaded guilty in Christchurch District Court today to a charge of breaching the community work sentence.
Defence counsel Rebecca Keenan told the court that French had back problems and mental health issues that had been preventing her from completing her community work.
"I have spoken to her about the consequences and she wants to assure the court that she now understands the consequences and will complete the 250 hours," she said.
Judge Tony Couch noted that she was complying with the sentence of intensive supervision.
"The problem is with the community work sentence. Obviously she's had some personal difficulties along the way."
French, a Linwood woman who was listed as unemployed when she was originally prosecuted, last reported for community work on October 21.
Judge Couch said he would give her a chance to get on with the sentence and remanded her to February 26 - her 22nd birthday - to complete another block of hours.
"If you can get a decent number of hours done, it is likely a judge on that date will discharge you. The responsibility is on you now," he said.
